What are these? They are growing everywhere in the mulch

[skiingjeff]

Below are pics of the plants that are growing everywhere in the mulch. Normally I would say they came in the mulch but the mulch is 2 years old so it has to be something new dropping and growing. Unfortunately they are REALLY slow growers. They have only produced a couple true leaves in the last 4 weeks. Does anyone have an idea on what they are and how to stop them from growing. I hate to use Round Up but there are so many and they keep on coming once they are pulled...HELP!

IMG_0001.JPG (21.09 KiB) Viewed 1047 times

Thanks in advance for any advice

[sweetiepie]

My first thought is some kind of tree.

[LIcenter]

Do you have Rose of Sharon growing nearby? Maybe in a neighbors yard if not yours?

https://www.google.com/search?q=rose+of ... WqUYLU0%3D

[skiingjeff]

No rose of Sharon nearby. I thought tree as well but the aren't growing much more than you see in the pics. A tree would get bigger I think.

[!potatoes!]

maybe not the first year, from seed. many seedling trees will only go a few inches the first year.

[skiingjeff]

Interesting, would trees that never did this before in 50 years start now?

There are no new plantings other than putting mulch down 2 years ago.

[sweetiepie]

The tree seedlings start small here but next year they tend to take off. My guess is the mulch created an environment in the soil to retain enough water for them to sprout.

[ElizabethB]

Is a positive identification necessary? If so bring a sample to your County Extension Office. The seeds could have been in the mulch and did not have the right conditions for germination until now. They could have been blown in by wind, dropped by birds or washed in by water.

Since they are not desirable plants pull them as soon as you see them - before they can establish a sturdy root system.

Good luck

[skiingjeff]

Thanks all for the thoughts and suggestions.

[Mr_bobo_]

I would also say that is seedlings from some kind of tree.